Trinidad and Tobago’s Under 23 footballers will be looking to end their slate of matches in Fort Lauderdale on a high note when they take on Barry University from 6pm on Sunday after going down 1-0 to Canada’s Olympic Men’s team on Friday evening.
In a game played at the Holiday Inn Sports Complex, Sunrise, T&T fell behind in the 29th minute when Evan James shot past goalkeeper Andre Marchan after skipping past several challenges from the T&T defense. T&T head coach Angus Eve was left shouting at his players for their untidy work at the back as they allowed James way too much space before he unleashed a right footer past a stranded Marchan.
Eve left out at least six of his regular starters from the game and gave strike pair Cordell Cato and Shahdon Winchester their first start of the tour. Missing was in form forward Jamal Gay, captain Sheldon Bateau, defenders Leslie Russell and Kareem Moses, Daneil Cyrus, Micah Lewis and Jayson Joseph.
At times Cato created problems with his speedy runs on the right flank and he linked up well with Winchester who muffed two great opportunities on goal for T&T.
On 23 minutes Winchester headed wide of the left post from a right side delivery after good work by Cato and ten minutes from the break the W Connection striker saw another header miss the target following a Marcus Joseph delivery.
Canada, with Trinidadian technical director Stephen Hart on their bench, were organized and maintained good possession for large periods of the game but were not entirely dangerous in attack.
Eve introduced Trevin Caesar in the second half but he was ejected in the closing stages for a vicious tackle which caused an altercation between players of both teams for a brief moment.
Cyrus, Jayson Joseph and Lewis also went on but could not find an equalizer despite a couple near misses as the end approached including a well taken right footed free kick near the edge of the box in the final minute which Canadian goalkeeper Michal Misiewicz pushed over bar. Substitute Cameron Roget also hit over bar from close range after a goalmouth scrimmage in added on time.
Eve later admitted that he would have preferred a better result but didn’t sound worried by any means.
“I thought we played well and we’re just finished that final component in the team. We are giving away very soft goals which we are not really accustomed to. We are creating a lot of chances and we’re not taking the chances on one end and giving away goals on the other,” Eve told TTFF Media
Regarding his changes, he explained: “This is a training camp and we need to see players step up to the plate at this time. This game was not only about winning but to see some of these players who just came in like Shahdon Winchester and Cordell Cato who just came in and young Kevan George who has been fantastic for us in midfield.
We changed up the entire back four as well and it’s about giving these all the boys the opportunity before we select the final squad for California this weekend,” Eve added.